And just like that 2023 is over and I think it was a successful reading year for me. I did reread 100 books though so it wasn’t a great year for my tbr but we take what we can. I was thinking about doing an overview of the year but I kind of feel like the monthly wrap-ups should cover that. It’s 250 books and I don’t have it in me to narrow that down to a top 10, 20 or 50! 😀

I think 2023 will also see the end of my Schitts Creek gifs in my monthly wrap-ups. They really are the gifs that keep on giffing but I’ve been using them for over 2 years now and I’m feeling a change. That change will come in the form of gifs from the Buffyverse. I mean Giles was a librarian, there is so much potential! My 2023 rewatch has made me realise how remiss I’ve been!

Gothikana by RuNyx – 2⭐

This should be the type of book I’d love and I just ended up mostly annoyed!

Maybe I’ve left my dark romance era?

It was also super repetitive and I think I’d honestly have given it a much higher rating if not for that second epilogue.

I’m not here to police who should and shouldn’t have kids BUT these two have enough mental issues for about 10 people, BOTH Corvina’s parents were schizophrenic and she hears voices so there is a high chance she will develop it and/or pass it on to her child. Not to mention postpartum psychosis!!! So what’s the most sensible thing to do? Why Vad reverse his vasectomy and lets have a baby of course!! Can’t have that HEA without a baby!! Just really fucking stupid!

And also, I’m just sick of dark romances having the baby HEA, I’m happy to read about toxic and unhealthy relationships but it honestly just bums me the fuck out when they have children and have went through zero therapy! GAK!

Fighting Destiny (The Fae Chronicles #1) by Amelia Hutchins – 4⭐

Kind of devoured this and I definitely enjoyed it but this series is 7 books about the same couple and these two DO NOT communicate well. It got very frustrating in this book and I feel like by book 7 I’d be pulling my hair out. Can we give Ryder and Syn a sexual tension award though? When it happens it’s explosive!

This is my first Amelia Hutchins though and I’m up for more, I’m sure I’ll get to the rest of this series but I can’t see me binging these two engaging in a toxic relationship back to back, I think I need to take breaks between books so my head doesn’t explode.

Sommersgate House (Ghosts and Reincarnation #1) – 4⭐, Lacybourne Manor (Ghosts and Reincarnation #2)– 4⭐, Penmort Castle (Ghosts and Reincarnation #3) – 4⭐, Fairytale Come Alive (Ghosts and Reincarnation #4) – 5⭐, Lucky Stars (Ghosts and Reincarnation #5) – 4⭐by Kristen Ashley

My second reread of this series of the year! I find this a fun series, very much early KA and it’s always lovely to revisit those early days. Fairytale Come Alive is still my favourite, a lot of hurt/comfort and it always makes me super emotional. I love their HEA but to be fair all the HEA’s in this series are lovely.

Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1) by Nalini Singh – 5⭐

I toyed with the idea of starting another reread of this whole series before the end of the year but the new year is so close so I decided to postpone another reread until 2024. Can’t wait! 😀

Let Your Hearts Be Light (Christmas Daddies #1) by Fae Quin – 4⭐

This was cute, I do agree with some reviews I saw that called out how unfair and irrational Paxton’s hatred for Baxter were. I mean it worked for the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope I guess and I enjoyed Paxton becoming so protective and attached to Baxter so it wasn’t a huge annoyance.

Loved both kids and how they both loved each parent separately and together. Very wholesome!

Lovely little pre Christmas read and I shed a tear or two!

Sharing the Miracle (River Rain #5.5) by Kristen Ashley – 4⭐

I do really enjoy this series, it’s over the top and ridiculous, especially during a cost of living crisis but I find I enjoy stories of extortionately wealthy people when things aren’t great financially in the world. Look at Gossip Girl circa 2008! Watching those stupid rich people instead of worrying about a global recession was a wonderful distraction.

And so is River Rain!

I will say I honestly could have done without the surprise pregnancy thing in this HEA. I really can’t be dealing with this trope anymore.

Run & Hide (Myths & Monsters #1) by Beatrix Hollow – 2⭐

The heroine who is just too stupid to live! I honestly hated her and couldn’t give a toss what happens to her and her stupid monsters!

Afraid of everything but still going off into goddess knows where all willy nilly and almost getting killed multiple times. IDIOT!

Pretty sure I won’t be continuing!

Sable Peak (The Edens #6) by Devney Perry – 5⭐

DELIGHTFUL!!

Oh though I wish we had more Edens!

This series was such fun reading this year. I think Vera and Mateo are my favourites though. Vera was such an incredibly strong heroine and she was so lovable. I’m so glad she got her HEA. I also adored that as soon as she hit him up the side of the head with her feelings he didn’t take too long to pull his finger out and see her right there in front of him!

I also LOVED how this was written in two parts and the first is us seeing Vera start to heal. It made Vera and Mateo’s love story feel much more believable! Can’t wait to reread!

Scrooge-ish by L.B. Dunbar – 3⭐

Meh, it was short and sweet!

Eva was kind of horrible to be honest. Starting with how her name is pronounced. I know that’s unfair but I don’t really care.

This wasn’t a huge time commitment and it was somewhat alright not sure I’d rush off to read about any of the other characters though!

A Holly Jolly Ever After (A Christmas Notch #2) by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone – 3.5⭐

I absolutely loved A Merry Little Meet Cute last year and I wasn’t sure it could be topped. This wasn’t as good but it was a lovely addition to the series.

I may have been a tad too long though and correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think Kallum ever learns about Winnie’s narcolepsy which just felt very odd to me. I kept waiting for the conversation and it never happened.

Also, I say this a lot. I’m over the surprise pregnancy trope. I need trope warnings at the beginning of my romance books I think. 😀